Found: The Ultimate Babymoon Weekender Close To Sydney

My formula for a mini-break in no particular order is proximity to home, a kickass restaurant, sexy accommodation and enough, but not too much around, to do.

Now, intensify that with the added layer of a first pregnancy, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want a spa treatment to ease the ailments that come with carrying a tiny human inside you. Plus, the whole experience to be very adult (read: limited children about. Zero even).

Rick Stein’s latest regional venture, Bannisters Port Stephens, ticks all these boxes. A more relaxed Halcyon House meets the OG Bannisters, the hotel restaurant is one of those once daggy Aussie motels turned new age classic – and their day spa has just opened.

Walking into reception after a two and a half hour drive up the F3 from Sydney and the sorbet shades of pistachio, watermelon, vanilla and waffle, are instantly calming, signalling it’s time to wind back the whole being on “Sydney time” – and spend the weekend thinking about us, rather than what pram and baby capsule to buy.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the reception and Terrace Bar, is the iconic infinity pool to nowhere, which looks like it has a permanent kirakira sparkle app applied. I make a mental note, the Terrace Bar is is the place to be at sunset – with a Happy Hour cocktail ($10 cocktails from 4pm-6pm), or in my case, Virgin Collins in hand, sunken into a wicker chair.

Happy hour called at the Terrace Bar. Image: SuppliedSource:Whimn

The rooms are styled with a nod to lived-in luxury where opening the door you want to flop your body onto the king bed – all mish mash of natural textures like macramé and linen, but it still feels functional – a hangover from the motel reno – including Moccona sachets.

If you plan on treating yo’self to a treatment, you’ll find the day spa secreted away behind a sliding wood panel door in the corner of the hotel. Newly opened in June (opening hours are 9am-5pm), bookings for everything from facials to massage are recommended. I rubber-armed my husband into a 60 minutes couples massage, in one of the joint treatment rooms. (Rather than needing to lie on your side, the Bannisters day spa has a belly holder, to cradle your bump so you can still lie face down. I found this meant firmer pressure could be applied. Note: you need to be in your second trimester, otherwise they recommend a facial). We left after an hour scented and soothed.

The robe life chose me. Image: SuppliedSource:Whimn

But if you’re at Bannisters, it’s for the food, or the seafood more specifically. The light and bright buffet breakfast spot by morning, turns into a moody green-lit restaurant and bar by night. All tables at Rick Stein’s face out to that 180 degree waterfront view where the bush meets the sea.

Obviously, for the non-preggos among us, there’s sashimi and oysters galore, but the great thing about Rick’s is there’s a catchful of non-raw options. If you can look past the fish pie, a melting pot of cheesy crust, salmon, prawns, mussels and more, the Tandoori prawn starter served with naan has a heart starting spice, so fragrant you’ll lick your fingers so the taste lingers longer. Meanwhile, the fish and chips which dad-to-be devoured were a hearty portion of dripping battered ling with chips as fat as your fingers. Dining in the restaurant is a must.

Dine with Rick Stein. Image: SuppliedSource:Whimn

If for some reason you do want to leave Bannisters for a night, the Little Beach Boathouse and Shoal Bay Country Club are two favourite local options, again where seafood is the superstar on the menu and both offering sprawling ocean views. Comparing the country club to Sydney’s Watson’s Bay Hotel wouldn’t be a stretch, while the Little Beach Boathouse also has a bar underneath for more casual drinks and snacks.

While talking Shoal Bay, a visit to this part of the world, isn’t complete without a climb up Mount Tomaree. You can park at the base, or if you’re after a longer walk, leave the car at Anzac Park and follow the path along the waterfront until you reach the start. Here, a short but sharp, lung and calf burning incline will deliver you to the top – and the hypnotisingly blue waters across the bay and region. As a heads up: the hardest part is the beginning, once you hit the stairs you can take things steady.

Sunday blues from the top of Tomaree. Image: Instagram@melissasheddenSource:Whimn

Finally, if you’re more a beach than pool kind of person, Shoal Bay also offers a stretch of white sandy beach, as does the smaller, but local favourite, Dutchmans Beach or Dutchies as its fondly known. Even on the most brilliant sunny day, you’ll have metres of sand to yourself – something that’d never happen in Sydney. Or, you could make like us and just sloth about on the sun loungers back at Bannisters soaking up that trademark barefoot luxury.